Walking Stick Size and Fitting Guide: average sizes & types

by Thomas Vandepitte

Also referred to as a walking cane, a walking stick is a tool designed to assist in walking, provide stability or maintain a suitable posture. Walking canes come in various designs, shapes, and sizes depending on the personal preference of the user it can either be for self-defense or as a fashion accessory (skip straight to the walking stick size charts).

Hikers also use walking sticks known as hiking poles or hiking sticks for several reasons for example in tropical forests to clear out thick bushes or spider webs or to maintain their balance when crossing steep terrain.

Related: Ski pole size advice with easy to use size charts, Golf Clubs Size Chart

walking stick size chart in cms : body height x 0,68 = desired walking stick length
walking stick size chart in cms : body height x 0,68 = desired walking stick length

What is the average Walking stick size (summarized) ?

  • The recommended stick height for children or shorter adults is a 41-inch stick.
  • The recommended stick height for adults whose height is under 5’4” is a 48-inch stick.
  • The recommended stick height for adults whose heights lie between 5’4” and 5’11” is a 55-inch stick.
  • The recommended stick height for adults surpassing 5’11” is a 58-inch stick.

Table of content

Types of Walking Sticks

  • Quad stick – The base has four-pronged stoppers that provide stability when you walk slowly ensuring all four stoppers touch the ground concurrently.
  • Folding stick – It is portable and can be folded numerously to fit in a bag. Moreover, it’s a height-adjustable walking stick therefore you can choose a length that suits you.
  • Standard walking stick – This is a regular stick with a T or crook handle. Since it’s a common type it has many designs; therefore, an individual can choose the ideal stick for them.

Walking sticks come in a wide variety of sizes therefore choosing the correct size is important because it influences the posture and comfortability of the user. Having the correct height will assist the user to have balance and comfort while using it.

Learn More About Different Types of Walking Sticks (video)

Choosing the Perfect Walking Staff – Utility, Design, and Looks by Brazos Walking Sticks

Related: Merrell Shoe Size Chart, Hoka Shoes Size Chart for Men and women, Columbia Shoe Size Chart for walking, hiking and daily footwear, Salomon Shoe Size Chart

Walking Stick Size Chart and Guide 

The table below is a representation of a walking cane’s length in comparison to a user’s height:

Your height in cm and inchCane length in cm and inchYour height in cm and inchCane length in cm and inchYour height in cm and inchCane length in cm and inchYour height in cm and inchCane length in cm and inch
150 cm 59.0 inches77 cm 30.3 inches160 cm 62.9 inches82 cm32.2 inches170 cm 66.9 inches87 cm 34.2 inches180 cm 70.8 inches92 cm 36.2 inches
152 cm 59.8 inches78 cm 30.7 inches162 cm 63.7 inches83 cm 32.6 inches172 cm 67.7 inches88 cm34.6 inches182 cm 71.6 inches93 cm 36.6 inches
154 cm 60.6 inches79 cm 31.1 inches164 cm 64.5 inches84 cm 33.0 inches174 cm 68.5 inches89 cm 35.0 inches184 cm 72.4 inches94 cm 37.0 inches
156 cm 61.4 inches80 cm 31.4 inches166 cm 65.3 inches85 cm 33.4 inches176 cm 69.2 inches90 cm 35.4 inches186 cm 73.2 inches95 cm 37.4 inches
158 cm 62.2 inches81 cm 31.8 inches168 cm 66.1 inches86 cm 33.8 inches178 cm 70.0 inches91 cm 35.8 inches188 cm 74.0 inches96 cm 37.7 inches

Walking stick length conversion chart vs user height

The table below illustrates the height of a user and the walking stick length:

Height foot/inch and cmStick length in cm and inches
5’0’’  152 cm23 – 24 inches 58 – 61 cm
5’1’’ 155 cm24 – 25 inches 61 – 64 cm
5’2’’ 157 cm25 – 26 inches 64 – 66 cm
5’3’’ 160 cm26 – 27 inches 66 – 69 cm
5’4’’ 163 cm27 – 28 inches 69 – 71 cm
5’5’’ 165 cm28 – 29 inches 71 – 74 cm
5’6’’ 168 cm29 – 30 inches 74 – 76 cm
5’7’’ 170 cm30 – 31 inches 76 – 79 cm
5’8’’ 173 cm31 – 32 inches 79 – 81 cm
5’9’’ 175 cm32 – 33 inches 81 – 84 cm
5’10’’ 178 cm33 – 34 inches 84 – 86 cm
5’11’’ 180 cm34 – 35 inches 86 – 89 cm
6’0’’ 183 cm35 – 36 inches 89 – 91 cm
6’1’’ 185 cm36 – 37 inches 91 – 94 cm
6’2’’ 188 cm37 – 38 inches 94 – 97 cm
6’3’’ 191 cm38 – 39 inches 97 – 99 cm

Walking Pole/ stick length vs Users height

The table below shows the height of an individual and the length of a hiking pole:

User height in cmUser height in inchesPole length in inchesPole length in cm
124 – 132 cm4’1 – 4’4 inches38 inches95 cm
138 – 142 cm4’5 – 4’8 inches40 inches100 cm
145 – 152 cm4’9 – 5’0 inches42 inches105 cm
155 – 160 cm5’1 – 5’3 inches44 inches110 cm
162 – 167 cm5’4 – 5’6 inches46 inches115 cm
170 – 175 cm5’7 – 5’9 inches48 inches120 cm
178 – 183 cm5’10 – 6’0 inches50 inches125 cm
185 – 190 cm6’1 – 6’3 inches52 inches130 cm
193 – 198 cm6’4 – 6’6 inches54 inches135 cm
200 cm +6’7 inches +56 inches140 cm

How to choose the right walking stick size for you

When purchasing a walking stick it is imperative to have the right stick height to avoid straining your body or putting it under stress since they are designed to decrease the weight on the injured leg and provide balance.

In addition, the handle provides support for the placement of the hand, therefore, the style design which can either be crook, t-shaped, swan neck, ergonomic or offset should be comfortable and offer support to the arm.

What size should a walking stick be?

The size of a walking stick depends on the preference of an individual, what might be comfortable for one person might be uncomfortable for another therefore finding the exact height suitable for you is important.

The following are measurements starting from kids walking sticks to adult walking sticks. 

  • The recommended stick height for children or shorter adults is a 41-inch stick.
  • The recommended stick height for adults whose height is under 5’4” is a 48-inch stick.
  • The recommended stick height for adults whose heights lie between 5’4” and 5’11” is a 55-inch stick.
  • The recommended stick height for adults whose heights surpass 5’11” is a 58-inch stick.

Moreover, the standard height for walking canes for adults who are starting to use them is 37 inches and for taller people is 40 inches. To achieve the cane size one has to stand in an upright position with your arms resting on your side and allow someone to measure the height range from the ground to your wrist.

How to size a cane - walking stick size
How to size a cane – walking stick size

How to measure a walking stick?

The wrong height of a walking stick can be detrimental and lead to shoulder, back pain, and joint pain. A longer height will make your shoulder to be too high and a shorter height will make your back slouch 

Apart from measuring the user’s height from arms-length to the ground, you can also measure the length of the walking stick while wearing your normal walking shoes from the handle top part where it ends to the bottom part with a rubber lining.

Furthermore, ensure the position of your wrist is at a comfortable position and get the measurements to suit the right height for your stick. Lastly, a handy guide provided by various vendors shows a list comparison of the different diameters of sticks and the matching user heights help one to choose the perfect height.

After finding the right size, one can pick the design of the walking stick or cane they prefer.

More About the Walking Stick Size Guide explained (video)

How to Properly Size a Stick or Cane by Brazos Walking Sticks

Conclusion

A walking stick is a tool used by individuals to aid in walking. It has helped people who either have physical disabilities, trekkers, and hikers, or people who see it as a fashion accessory and hobbyist.

In addition, they have a wide range of sizes, shapes, colors, designs, and functionalities. In the past, they were mostly made of different types of wood but nowadays they can also be metallic and have an adjustable height to suit the user.

Each of them is fitted with a rubber lining at the foot of the stick to provide a steady balance.

In this section we have discovered that size is essential when choosing the type of stick you want. Finding the right length is a major impact on the results one wants to achieve, especially for those injured or the elderly who need assistance in walking.

In reality, it would be beneficial to have the right size for walking for whatever purpose the user might have.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please feel free t leave a comment below!

Picture in this post by Miikka Luotio on Unsplash

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